One of my favorite aspects of ham radio is building transmitters running less than 1 watt and seeing how far I can be heard. Even the lowly Pixie kit has a decent transmitter.

Little transmitters are easy to build, either from kits or schematics you can find online.

I get crystals from KC9ON.com and use a low-pass filter board from Zachtek.com…

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I hear all words or even whole sentences. It’s like having a conversation with someone. The only thing I write down is the other person’s call sign.

But there’s different ways for different folks. Ask 10 hams how to lean morse code and you get 15 ways! Use what works for you and have fun!

The greatest thing about ham radio is it’s the hobby with thousands of hobbies! You can never learn it all, so just pick and choose what interests you.

I actually use ham radio to escape from all the high tech stuff in real life. Mostly analog QRP CW for me. I do have 2 digital rigs , but one’s display is morse code. The other is an 8 segment…

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Don’t over analyze learning the code. It’s nothing more than reading with your ears and writing with a key.

Did you learn to read by copying down random letter groups? No!

Once you have the basic characters memorized, get on the air and use them. Speed and head copy will come with use and exerience. It’s harder to find long conversations on the…

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Check the ARRL website to find a club in your area. Nothing beats in person demos and many clubs have in person licensing classes with the test at the end.

Welcome to the hobby!

Another great place to check out is Yellow Springs, a few miles north of Xenia.

It’s a village that has fantastic little shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to get a start on your Christmas shopping. Your XYL will definitely enjoy the experience and vibes!

Are there any tech class hams interested in CW? I have 99% CW in my 32 year ham career, and would like to share ideas, knowledge and operating with people interested in Morse code, CW, QRP(low power), and whatever else might come up.

There are some amazing little single-band CW rigs these days that can get you on HF for under $60. With a…

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Many ham groups, such as DX clubs, national nets and special interest groups have their own “sideshows” in and around the area during Hamvention.

I’m planning on attending the QRP ARCI’s Four Days in May get together at the Fairborn Holiday Inn. They’ll have talks and forums. Also vendors and club nights. Contests, prizes and dinners.

I’m taking…

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I think of a right as something spelled out in the constitution-to bear arms, vote, equality, peaceably gather.

Everything else is a privilege. Even driving is a privilege, not a right.

Oops, I sorta misunderstood the origial post.

There are so many facets to the hobby-

The AMers trying to get the perfect audio

The hams diing satellite and moon bounce

All the digital modes

The mesh networks people are setting up on 440 and 900 Mhz

My niche is QRP CW. Lately I’ve been trying QRPp-less than 1 watt output. I build little one and…

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Sorry, but I disagree. As long as you know the conditions of a contract going in, it’s your choice to accept or reject that conract.

Ham radio is a privelge, not a right.

In most of the places I’ve lived since being licensed, antennas have been outlawed or very impractical. I have still figured out ways to stay on the air and within the…

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I know a lot of hams who are also musicians, professional and amateur.

A wierd thing I’ve noticed is the number of Jims that are hams-three in my local group alone, and I talk to a lot of them on the air. There are a lot of Marks also!

Hello-new member here.

One of the main reasons I like ham radio is that it’s so many hobbies rolled into one.

I tried packet way back when and I’ve seen people doing the digital modes at field day, but they’re not for me.

My passion is still for good old CW ragchewing. I do like the modern technology that allows me to have a QRP station, the size…

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